Monroe Man Sentenced On Three Drug Charges

A 30-year-old Saylorsburg man, convicted of three counts of possession and delivery of methamphetamine, was sentenced yesterday in Monroe County Court to three to six years at Graterford State Prison.

James R. Cherepko of Lake Road was given 12 to 24 months' jail sentences on each of the three charges by Judge Peter J. O'Brien. The terms are to be served consecutively.

Defense counsel James Swetz advised the court that he would appeal the sentencing and requested that Cherepko be continued free on bail.

In response, O'Brien increased the defendant's bail from $25,000 to $100,000, and Cherepko was committed to Monroe County Jail in default of the new bail.

Arrested by Daniel O. Licklider of the state attorney general's Bureau of Narcotics and Drug Control, Cherepko was convicted following a three-day jury trial on Jan. 9.

He was found guilty of possession and possession with intent to deliver methamphetamines on Oct. 23, 1984; Jan. 23, 1985, and March 1, 1985. The charges involved two drug sales and the discovery of a stockpile of the drug in a wood pile outside his home when police raided the property on March 1. He was acquitted on two other charges of drug sales.

Prior to sentencing, O'Brien referred to the presentence investigation that reported that Cherepko had not been regularly employed and had earned $1,998 in 1985.

"This is well below a poverty level," O'Brien said, noting "the presentence investigation showed that the defendant owned three motor vehicles and rents a comfortable home," living in a lifestyle above his apparent means. This, the judge said, supports "the belief that Mr. Cherepko's primary source of income came from selling drugs."

O'Brien also said the report indicated this was Cherepko's first offense, but noted that Cherepko has had a drug problem dating back to 1979.

Cherepko faces pending charges in Scranton federal court of illegal possession of two machine guns confiscated by police when they raided his home on March 1, 1985.

Assistant District Attorney Elmer D. Christine Jr. asked the court to impose a "severe penalty," saying that "the distribution of drugs is the most serious crime in society today and the distribution of drugs causes all of society to be the victims."

Christine also reminded the court that federal, state and local police have made a "great effort in Monroe County to curtail and stop drug dealing" during recent years.

Before sentencing, O'Brien told Cherepko that this was an "insidious criminal activity. Every day the court sees the havoc of drug use in all of the matters coming before the court."

O'Brien asked Cherepko if he had anything to say to the court and the defendant replied: "Not right now."